A Cat in the Manger (Alice Nestleton Mystery #1)

Alice Nestleton is an actress who also takes care of cats while their owners are away.  This Christmas she has a job sitting for 8 Himalayan cat on Long Island.  She is looking forward to it. She gets to the train station to find no one waiting for her.  She makes her way to her temporary home only to find the owner dead in the cottage she was to stay in.  Not an auspicious start. 

The plot for this was just OK.  I enjoyed reading it because it was a quick read.  But the mystery seemed kind of weak.  I thought the Alice was a good character, but the plot seemed to wander a little for me.  I want to give this author a fair shake so I think I am going to try the next one in the series to see if there is an improvement.  I didn't dislike like it, but I wasn't super impressed either.  I was glad it was a quick read and had some enjoyment for me otherwise I would be done with it.

Lost December by Richard Paul Evans

This is a beautiful told version of the Prodigal Son. I have know the story from the bible for as long as I could remember, but this is a version of the well know tale that will not quickly leave my heart.

Luke Crisp is the only son of a copy company magnet. He was brought up with the knowledge that one day he would take over the company from his father. When the time comes for the mantel to switch to his shoulders, Luke informs his father that he wants to see the world - live life to the fullest. Luke finds out that living life to the fullest is necessarily the way to true happiness.

What follows is the story of Luke's journey to the heights of pleasure and the depths of depression. It can't help but move you. "Often times the greatest peace comes from surrender" will ring truer than you can know.

This is an easy read, but well worth the effort.

Thyme of Death by Susan Wittig Albert

Pecan Springs, Texas is a nice place to live. At least China Bayles thinks so. Coming from a former lawyer that is high praise. After leaving the law she became a resident of Pecan Springs and the owner of Thyme and Seasons. Everything is going along pretty well until a good friend is found dead of an apparent suicide. Ruby, who shares the other half of the shop, is adamant that Jo would never kill herself and she is going to investigate whether China believes her or not.

China goes about her business, but begins to believe that Ruby might be right.

I really enjoyed this first installment of the China Bayles series. It was well written and the characters are well developed. Looking forward what other adventures arise in Pecan Springs, Texas.

Christmas

I am having a hard time with Christmas this year.  I wanted so much to make this Christmas special.  I wanted to decorate the house and make it feel festive.  Didn't have the heart to last year with Dee's passing being so fresh.  Then I got sick and those plans went right out the window.  I managed to put the wreath on the door, but that was as far as it went.

I was finding it difficult to get into the spirit of the holiday without the trappings of decorations and the hustle and bustle of the season.  It got me thinking of Christmas's past and the anticipation of gifts and the decking of the house always made me feel.  Spending time with family and friends.  The traditions we had.  When I was very little I remember some of the decorations would be up and the tree would be in the house, but it was never decorated right away.  I would be sent to bed early on Christmas Eve and while I was sleeping the tree would be transformed to a thing of beauty and the presents would magically appear under the tree.  They would wake me up when everything was done and we would open presents. I appreciated from a very young age the gifts I received.  I seemed to sense the care in which they were chosen for me and even though I might not have gotten everything I wanted, I was grateful for what I got.  I don't see that so much these days.  Kids seem to want such expensive things and get angry when they can't have what they want.  I wish the simpleness of Christmas would return.

I think about those families that won't have much of a Christmas because of job loss or loss of a home.  I also think about those like myself who are trying to come to grips with the loss of a beloved friend or family member.  Those losses can change the meaning of a holiday and how you perceive things around you.  Their absence will be felt keenly by those they have left behind.  I know that even though I will be surrounded by my new family the loss of my sister and parents will not be far from my heart and mind.  Especially my sister who was my best friend when I was little.  She was my safety net from my parents and a hug when I was scared.  She is deeply missed.  I am grateful for the time we had together.

Well I hope and pray that everyone has a safe and peaceful holiday.  May God watch over you and keep you.

All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin

Anya, barely sixteen, is struggling to find her way in a world where chocolate and coffee are illegal, paper is hard to find and water is scarce.

Anya was born into the Balanchine crime family. She lives with her grandmother, older brother Leo and younger sister Natty. Leo suffered a brain injury when he was eight and copes the best he can with his limited mental abilities. Grandma is in declining health, which leaves Anya in charge of the family. She does the best she can, but feels the pressure everyday of keeping her family safe.

It isn't easy to have everyone you come in contact with know that your family members are criminals. Especially when the boy your in love with, Win, is the son of the new Assistant District Attorney.

Will Anya be able to keep her family together. What will happen if something happens to her Grandmother, will the family be able to stay together?

It was kind of an odd story for me, but once I got into it I was hooked. I didn't like it as much as I thought, but it was still good.

Murder by Yew (A Edna Davies Mystery #1) by Suzanne Young

I loved this story. The main character Edna reminded me of a cross between Jessica Fletcher and Miss Marple.

Edna and her husband just recently moved into their new house. The former owner was an avid gardener and kept extensive journals on the different plants and their uses. Edna was excited to learn more about the plants and to spend more time with her husband, now that he had retired. Edna had been settling in very well to her new home and had already had made some good friends in her neighbor Mary and Tom who was the handyman who handled minor repairs.

When Tom becomes sick and dies, suspicion is directed in Edna's direction because of her habit of mixing her own tea blends. Edna decides she is going to find out who else might have a reason to poison Tom with the help of Mary. A bad storm makes her snooping slightly difficult, but not impossible.

This is a great story and I can't wait to read the next one in the series. I just found out today that there is a third installment due out soon!

Jessica Fletcher watch out! Here comes Edna Davies.

Hickory Smoked Homicide (A Memphis BBQ Mystery #3) by Riley Adams

I skipped the second one and read this one because it has to be back at the library first.

Lulu Taylor is the owner of Aunt Pat's, a barbeque restaurant in Memphis, Tennessee.  Lulu makes everyone feel welcome and makes sure that they will get enough to eat.  Lulu is invited to attend a party at Tristan Pembroke's home.  The party is to promote art.  Sara, Lulu's daughter-in-law, has some of her paintings in the show, so Lulu is attending the party to show her support.  Tristan is probably the most hated person around.  She doesn't care what people think of her and if she hurts someone along the way, too bad!  She has even gone so far as to kick her daughter out of the house to fend for herself.  So when Tristan turns up dead at the party, no one is overcome with grief.

Lulu starts asking questions because Sara seems to be one of the top suspects for the murder, because she and Tristan had a huge argument at the party shortly before the body is found.  When another woman, closely associated with Tristan is found murdered some days later.  Lulu is even more determined to find out who the culprit is.  Will her meddling turn deadly?  You'll have to pick this book and find out.

This is the third in the series.  I haven't read the second one yet but should get to it shortly.  I look forward to reading more of these tasty cozies.

Ruby Among Us: A Novel by Tina Ann Forkner

What a wonderful story. So glad I decided to read it.

Lucy DiCammillo lost her mother Ruby when she was very young. She grew up in the care of her grandmother Kitty. Kitty doesn't like to talk to much about her past or about Ruby. Lucy is starting to question her past, wanting to find out more about her mother and herself. Kitty seems to hold the key, but is reluctant to open up and share her secrets.

Lucy is searching for more than just answers to her past. She hopes that by finding out her roots she can be more open to her future.

This is such a touching story of discovery, of self and faith. The character of Blake reminded me of how God feels when he is waiting for his wayward children to find their way back to Him.

The Safehouse by T. Thomas Ackerman

I finished reading this, but not because I really was enjoying it.  I wanted to find out what happened.  I was sadly disappointed with this story.

Detective Jessica Warren works on domestic abuse cases, because she know all to well what that can be like.  She protects the women of abuse with a vengeance, and is the only member of the police force who knows where the safehouse is located.  The safehouse is where women and children are taken if the shelter is no longer a safe place for them to stay.

The reason that I didn't like this book and I apologize for the ***SPOILER***, is that I just couldn't get my head wrapped around the fact that this Detective was personally involved in the demise of three of abusive men.  It is also eluded that she had something to do with the disappearance of her ex-husband.  On top of that she was responsible for the cover up of the murder of another murder.  Is it any wonder that Internal Affairs was interested in her involvement.

The premise of the novel is a good one, but seeing this officer overstepping in these situations and causing the demise of others just rubbed me the wrong way.

I just didn't like it and why I finished it I'll never know, but I did.  Again very disappointing!!

Th1rteen R3asons Why by Jay Asher

Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a package for him on the porch.  Inside are seven cassette tapes, each side numbered, from Hannah Baker - on whom he had a crush.  A couple of weeks ago she committed suicide and no one knew why.

Hannah explains on the tapes the thirteen reasons why she decided to take her life, Clay being one of them.  All Clay has to do is listen.

So Clay spends the night wandering his town listening to Hannah's tapes, dreading to hear what part he had in her demise.

I really think this book should be required for students to read.  It brings to light how things that seem so inconsequential can have such a big impact.  In this day and age when bullies are so prevalent and so many young people are taking their own lives, this book might help some kids see things from a different point of view.  Maybe if there was a little more thinking and a lot less words lives could be saved.

This book is a provocative way of looking at how actions and words have an effect on our lives.  A quote from the book sticks in my mind, "When you mess with one part of a person's life, you're not messing with just that part.  Unfortunately, you can't be that precise and selective.  When you mess with one part of a person's life, you're messing with their entire life."

Very profound!